Here's a bunch of lenses that won't get much respect, despite being good, sharp performers. They've got some cleaning wisps, a bit of haze, and an uncommon name. I'll price them low enough to overcome any hesitation you might have. Each of them has a little something extra, compared to ordinary lens offerings. I'll "unbundle" the offerings, i.e., you can buy the lens with or without flange, etc. I beleive all of them cover 12x20. In any case, they are all offered with a no-questions-asked money back guarantee. You do have to pay for the return shipping, however.
16 1/2 inch f/9.5 Artar
Artars used to be the go-to process lenses of LFers, but people have discovered other favorites, not to mention the current resurgent popularity of lenses making fuzzy photos. This example has turned out good sharp photos for me, despite having some cleaning wisps and some haze on the front element. I never considered this lens to be "handicapped" - there are no big scratches, etc. The iris moves smoothly. If your photography is at such a high level that you demand perfection in lenses, pass this by. For the ordinary folks, you can have this lens for $75. I have a mounting flange for it, and if you would like to buy it, it costs $25. Something unusual, which you won't find elsewhere, is an adapter that I made for the front, so that 67mm filters, and clipon lenscaps, could be mounted on it. If you'd like this add-on, it'll cost you another $25.
19 inch f/11 Artar
I used this lens on the Korona 12x20 until I picked up an RD version. It also has some cleaning wisps and a touch of haze on the front element. I never worried about it, but the same perfectionist caveat as the 16 1/2" applies. Iris moves smoothly. The paint on the barrel is blistered a bit, if that matters to you. Offered at $75, also. If you want the mounting flange, that's available for an additional $25. I made a leather lenscap for this lens, apparently some time before I got good at it . I'll include it with the lens, gratis.
19 3/4 inch f/10 Copying Ektanon
This is probably the best bargain of the lot, since that "Copying" term will scare the illiterati away. It's just another process lens. The glass here is in good shape - no particular scratches, cleaning marks, etc. Price is $75, like the other lenses. I made a couple of Delrin lenscaps (front and rear) for this lens, and will include them, gratis. The mounting flange will set you back another $25. The flange is currently mounted on a 5 1/2" x 5 1/2" Korona lensboard, and will be included with the flange, gratis. The truely desirable add-on for this lens is a set of adapters I made to mount the cells from this lens into an Ilex #5 shutter.
A note on the flange and Ilex adapters: I beleive these will also fit some other Kodak process lenses in the 18 - 21 inch range. I have several of these, but am just too lazy/busy to go dig them out and measure them. Sorry.
Another note: the prices quoted above do not include shipping, which will be at the buyers' expense. No sleazy packing/handling fees. Paypal's OK.
Charley
16 1/2 inch f/9.5 Artar
Artars used to be the go-to process lenses of LFers, but people have discovered other favorites, not to mention the current resurgent popularity of lenses making fuzzy photos. This example has turned out good sharp photos for me, despite having some cleaning wisps and some haze on the front element. I never considered this lens to be "handicapped" - there are no big scratches, etc. The iris moves smoothly. If your photography is at such a high level that you demand perfection in lenses, pass this by. For the ordinary folks, you can have this lens for $75. I have a mounting flange for it, and if you would like to buy it, it costs $25. Something unusual, which you won't find elsewhere, is an adapter that I made for the front, so that 67mm filters, and clipon lenscaps, could be mounted on it. If you'd like this add-on, it'll cost you another $25.
19 inch f/11 Artar
I used this lens on the Korona 12x20 until I picked up an RD version. It also has some cleaning wisps and a touch of haze on the front element. I never worried about it, but the same perfectionist caveat as the 16 1/2" applies. Iris moves smoothly. The paint on the barrel is blistered a bit, if that matters to you. Offered at $75, also. If you want the mounting flange, that's available for an additional $25. I made a leather lenscap for this lens, apparently some time before I got good at it . I'll include it with the lens, gratis.
19 3/4 inch f/10 Copying Ektanon
This is probably the best bargain of the lot, since that "Copying" term will scare the illiterati away. It's just another process lens. The glass here is in good shape - no particular scratches, cleaning marks, etc. Price is $75, like the other lenses. I made a couple of Delrin lenscaps (front and rear) for this lens, and will include them, gratis. The mounting flange will set you back another $25. The flange is currently mounted on a 5 1/2" x 5 1/2" Korona lensboard, and will be included with the flange, gratis. The truely desirable add-on for this lens is a set of adapters I made to mount the cells from this lens into an Ilex #5 shutter.
A note on the flange and Ilex adapters: I beleive these will also fit some other Kodak process lenses in the 18 - 21 inch range. I have several of these, but am just too lazy/busy to go dig them out and measure them. Sorry.
Another note: the prices quoted above do not include shipping, which will be at the buyers' expense. No sleazy packing/handling fees. Paypal's OK.
Charley
